Creators

Creator tax deductions in the Netherlands: the complete list

Updated: 2026-08-16 Holdwise editorial team

As a creator in the Netherlands, you can deduct your production gear, software, outsourced work, business travel and marketing. Personal care, glasses and everyday meals are mostly private. Clothing is deductible only under a strict test for workwear. At Holdwise, we keep this answer up to date and change it when the rules change.

Clearly deductible

Production gear: cameras, lenses, lighting, microphones, drones, computers. Items above roughly €450 are depreciated over several years.
Software and subscriptions: editing suites, stock libraries, scheduling tools, cloud storage, analytics.
Outsourced work: editors, thumbnail designers, virtual assistants and accountants.
Workspace: a rented studio in full; a home studio only when the space is independent (own entrance and facilities). The ordinary spare bedroom generally stays private.
Business travel: trips with a real, documented business purpose. A production trip with a shot list and published output qualifies. If you add two private beach days, the trip is partly private and you split the costs.
Marketing: paid promotion, website costs, giveaways to your audience (promotional costs at purchase value).
Phone and internet: the business share.

The clothing rule, precisely

Clothing is deductible only as workwear. Workwear is suitable (almost) only for work, or shows your logo of at least 70 cm² per item. A dress you wear once in a video and again at dinner is private, even if you bought it for the shoot. Costumes and stage pieces that are clearly unsuitable for daily wear are deductible. A designer wardrobe is private.

Mostly private, whatever the content

Gym, cosmetic treatments, hair, nails: personal care is private even when your appearance is your product. Dutch case law has drawn that line repeatedly.
Glasses and general wellness: private.
Everyday meals: private; business meals with a documented business partner are deductible within the mixed-costs limits.

The car

For a company car, you pay tax on a private-use addition (bijtelling). This is a percentage of the list price, added to your income. With the mileage most creators drive, it is often cheaper to keep the car private and charge the business €0.25 per business kilometre. Calculate both options before you sign.

Keep evidence for every deduction

You can deduct costs when you have evidence. With a folder of invoices, a mileage log and a one-line business purpose per trip, most grey areas are decided in your favour. Free products from brands count as taxable income. See free products and barter.

Frequently asked questions

Can I deduct clothes I wear in my videos? +

Only as workwear: suitable almost exclusively for work or showing your logo of at least 70 cm². Regular clothing stays private even when bought for a shoot.

Is my camera and lighting equipment deductible? +

Yes, fully. Items above roughly €450 are depreciated over several years.

Can a fitness creator deduct a gym membership? +

Personal care and fitness are private in Dutch practice, even when appearance is part of the product. A rented studio for filming sessions is the deductible alternative.

Is a filmed trip a business expense? +

Yes, with a real, documented business purpose and published output. Mixed trips are split between business and private days.